Page 10 of Just My Ex

“They’re back from their honeymoon and living here in Longdale. The wedding was great. They’re happy.”

I remember newlywed life with Henry. And intertwined with all of the good times, there were unanswered questions, even then. Things that bothered me from the beginning.

Either Sebastian feels awkward talking with his divorced former sister-in-law about Oliver’s wedded bliss, or he just wants to revert back to his typically quiet self, because he grabs my bags and starts rolling them down the hall to the elevators.

“And I heard you built a house here in town? And you’re engaged to Elianna? Congratulations.”

He smiles. It doesn’t take over his face like the other brothers’ smiles do, but it’s genuine.

“It’s been an eventful few months since you were here last.”

I nod, but then try to reach for one of the bags he’s carrying. “Don’t you have someone you could call to do that?”

He spins a little so I can’t take it from him then grabs a cart to pile them on.

“Yeah, but you’re part of the family, so—” Even as he says it, there’s weight to his words, something I can’t name.

“Well,Navie’sa part of the family still, but—” It’s my turn to trail off, even though I flash a winning smile and poke out an elbow. It’s jaunty, likeHey! I’m divorced from all ya’ll, but it’s all good! We’re just happy and ALL GOOD!

It has to be this way. I’m not going to be moping around while I’m here. Because if it gets back to Henry that I’m sad about the break-up, that I miss him or our life together, that would be humiliating.

I don’t miss him. I’m not sad about the break-up. I gave him the opportunity to choose us—me and Navie. And he chose his work instead.

It was a good thing, in the end.

And fingers crossed, my quitting my job and coming here will also turn out to be a good thing.

We shall see.

Chapter 5

Henry

I knock on Sebastian’s office door, but there’s no answer.

Which is alarming in and of itself, if for no other reason than it’s out of the norm. And anything out of the norm makes me suspicious.

The guy at the front desk downstairs waved me through—he could tell I didn’t want to stop and chat. I’ll grab my suitcase from my rental car later. I’ll figure out where I’m staying later. Right now, I want to touch base with Sebastian.

And locate Quinn and Navie.

After knocking a third time, I try the doorknob. It opens easily and I see the sitting room off to the right, the high-end finishes and even his fiancée, Elianna’s, former work area. Sebastian put it together for her when she started working as his assistant last year.

I enter the room to see that it’s empty. Come on, Sebastian. Leaving your office door unlocked with no one inside? I expected better.

I thought he was almost as cautious as I am.

I survey the procedures that need to take place to bring this office up to code. It is up to “code,” as far as building permits go. But as the Ostlins have learned, “up to code” from a security perspective means something entirely different.

I dial his number right as he walks in the door, his assistant, Gordon, following behind. They’re mid-conversation, something about Major League Baseball.

“Henry?” Sebastian’s stance goes wide. It’s almost imperceptible, but I can read body language. You don’t grow up with the father we did without learning some tricks of the trade.

“Bro, you’re going to need to be better about locking your doors.”

Sebastian half turns to look at the door. “I usually do.” One hand is on his hip and the other one points to me. “And you need to start letting me know when you’re coming.”

I chew my bottom lip. “Sorry. I figured if I told you I was coming, you’d try to talk me out of it.”

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